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Very
worthwhile. It’s wonderful to have a new approach to spelling and reading,
particularly since the ‘old way’ of teaching does not work for so many pupils.
Laola was very enthusiastic and passionate about the THRASS programme.
A method that is logical – something new. It was well presented. A great deal to
absorb in two days. We have much to digest, think about and plan. Hopefully we
will raise a generation of children who will spell more accurately. Thank You!
Fantastic. A great deal of learning before we can do this, but I am convinced
that it will be successful!
A method that will work – it makes sense, it reinforces concepts, is ‘catchy’
and hands on.
Most enjoyable. Learnt a lot. Think it can work and definitely worthwhile. Would
like follow up troubleshooting workshop, idea sharing etc.
Thought provoking. Helpful. Adaptable and applicable. Super. Success, success,
success!
The presenter was animated, enthusiastic and passionate about THRASS. I have
gained an overview of the programme in the two days. Initially, I felt quite
overwhelmed by all the terminology and the profilecard. I would like a further
day to consolidate the learning and know where to start! All in all, a
worthwhile course, which gave me much food for thought.
Presenter was articulate, knowledgeable and passionate about the programme.
Everything was well explained. The programme is a superb ‘tool’ to add to any
teacher’s ‘toolbox’. It is, however, a tremendous amount of info to assimilate
over two days. I teach senior pupils and would like to know how to approach them
and where to start. Further courses would be appreciated very much.
I can’t wait to implement THRASS. The skills are exciting, providing great
potential. The material is bold, colourful and good quality. The Teacher’s Guide
is comprehensive, but a bit bulky. The presenter was informative, experienced,
helpful, clear and concise. I would like an extra day to brainstorm with other
teachers in my grade. Thank you, Laola!
I found it valuable and enriching. I feel I need further courses, as there is a
great deal of information to assimilate in the first day of the workshop. Many
Thanks.
An informative and interesting course. We’re excited to implement what we've
been taught. It was presented in a dynamic, multi-media manner. Questions and
participation was encouraged. It was an intense course. A lot needed to be
absorbed in 2 days – a little overwhelming at times.
Very interesting and well presented. I love the idea of presenting phonemes and
graphemes together – it really makes sense. I can’t wait to try it out in my
class. Many thanks to Laola.
Enjoyed the course – particularly the second half of the second day – seeing how
the analysis and synthesis of words was implemented. Found the profile card a
little confusing – would probably need to do the course again to be able to
record all the data properly.
I really started to see all the advantages towards the end of the workshop – a
bit confusing initially as is anything new! Enjoyed the multisensory approach,
assessment tools and the way it would increase the learner’s knowledge of
sounds. I’m eager to use it with the children I see who have auditory processing
difficulties. Thank you for your time and shared knowledge.
An exciting, workable concept for teaching the skills. I really find the idea of
introducing letters and their many jobs a wonderful approach to spelling. I can
see it would provide both extension and reinforcement for pupils who need it. It
was a large amount of information to absorb in the two days, but we look forward
to the challenge of introducing THRASS to our pupils and watching them flourish.
Very exciting concept. Great need for updating present systems. Cost would be
problematic – need for an agent/supplier in SA – would help with parental items.
Presentation was well done and clear, although there is a great deal to absorb
in two days. May need reinforcement of a presenter once THRASS has been
introduced – say after 6 months to ensure quality of cascade to staff members.
Logical concept – very exciting to find something that puts together the English
language spelling and reading. First thought that the repetition might be a
bore, but now can see the value thereof. Not sure how I could use it with Grade
6/7 pupils when they haven’t gone through the initial stages.
THRASS seems so incredibly logical. It makes sense of sounds and how they appear
in the written form. I like the ‘3-prong’ approach – visual, auditory,
kinaesthetic. I am very excited about this programme.
Makes a lot of sense. Very informative, still lots to learn! Would love to use
this in my class. A multi-sensory programme that would meet all learners’ needs.
I would need to do this course again to feel confident.
Course was of value and most interesting. Possibly it could be condensed into a
day or a day and a half, as there was a fair amount of repetition. Not that easy
to implement into the government schools at present, where OBE is prevalent.
Very thought provoking – time and discussion needed to take everything in.
Course presentation was professional with sessions kept to a good length (not
too long). Presenter very willing to answer questions. Host school’s hospitality
was outstanding.
A most enlightening and eye-opening experience! I feel that implemented
correctly, this system will go a long way towards curing illiteracy problems
currently experienced. I thoroughly enjoyed the course, but also found it
mind-boggling and a lot to take in over 2 days. I also feel that possibly the
system is a bit too prescriptive and inflexible, but this might have just been
my perception after an intense 2 days of concentration. It has certainly given
me a lot to think about, and made me realise that my own phonics and reading
teaching has been a bit prescriptive in its own way up until now.
Mind-boggling. Very complex. Good idea – does make sense – maybe in a simpler
form. Must be very time consuming in the classroom – not sure where to start.
Assessment profile far too complex.
I loved the idea of exposing children to EVERYTHING – ALL the sounds and not
limiting them to one sound per letter. The maps are useful and well done. The
course does give you a good idea of the content of THRASS and how to use it.
Magnetic tiles and flashcards are very useful and well made. I personally would
like to use THRASS in conjunction with existing reading and spelling systems and
not throw out all present teaching skills.
Very mind-boggling! A lot to take in! It does make a lot of sense. Thanks so
much for 2 lovely days!
Very informative and exciting. A whole new look at spelling. I loved the various
ways in which you can look at spelling – so many options – mind-boggling. It
certainly makes spelling very exciting.
A most enjoyable course, well presented by Laola. Very informative and
interesting ideas. I have learnt so much about the programme and have put it
together. I was fortunate to visit Broadhurst School and see THRASS in action.
The CDs and computer programme will be useful. THRASS will need to be run by a
trained person in control and every teacher needs to come on board.
There is an enormous amount of value in THRASS. It definitely fills a gap and
will enhance our literacy programmes. I endorse it and would love to use it as
an additional tool in my classroom. The chart will definitely assist children
who struggle. I am concerned that it would be over-emphasized at the expense of
whole language experience, poetry, creative writing, and narratives.
A great deal of information to be assimilated in a short time period. The THRASS
programme is basically very educationally sound, but very prescriptive. A great
deal of terminology to be learnt by the pupils. The assessment and aids required
concern me when it comes to socially, economically disadvantaged schools. Thank
you for a very organised and smoothly run workshop.
The course gives a sound understanding and explanation of THRASS. I do feel that
as a programme, it is quite product bound and I would like the flexibility to
use my own resources. I personally prefer a more flexible approach to spelling,
but I have no doubt that it is an educationally sound principle and is very well
thought out. Thank you for “food for thought”. I am sure kids love to rap, but I
am uncomfortable doing them!
Organized and well planned. Sufficient breaks. Knowledgeable and experienced
instructor. Further instruction would be appreciated. Programme is impressive
but expensive.
Interesting and informative. The concept is really good, however, I am concerned
about the implementation of the programme throughout the school. The
presentation was very professional and the course material is excellent. Thanks
to Laola and Beaulieu for an outstanding two days.
The course was very informative, with good ideas. The presentation was very good
and to the point. THRASS, like any other scheme, old or new, has its pros and
cons. I will be using the scheme as a back up. Thank you very much!
Well presented at a good pace. Punctuated with good examples and a variety of
media which maintained audience interest. Presenter was enthusiastic, positive
and very familiar with all of the THRASS models. THRASS encompasses many
literacy issues and combines it all into a practical and logical package.
Certainly has merit and can be used with children from different language
backgrounds – vital in South Africa (especially as we have eleven officially
recognised languages). Looking forward to using it. Thank you for two wonderful
days.
I enjoyed the THRASS course. I found it very informative and I enjoyed seeing
the spelling and handwriting system from another perspective. I look forward to
adding the THRASS system to my classroom teaching. I think it will be fun and
very beneficial. Thanks for a great course.
Course instructor presented well. She spoke clearly and distinctly. The concept
is wonderful and I feel that I could use it in my class within a special needs
school. The materials used are excellent, colourful and very relevant. I like
the rap system and I feel that this will go down well with the children. Thanks
for a wonderful two days.
Very interesting, especially as an English second language speaker. Spelling and
Reading are also making more sense to me after the course. Well done to the
presenter – she was brilliant.
Presented with tremendous enthusiasm and passion. Instructions were simply
presented, with repetition, so content became easy to understand. Having taught
for many years, it was a refreshing new approach to teaching of spelling and
certainly a method, which I will implement. I do, however, think that it is very
auditory based – difficult for children with auditory processing difficulties.
Our instructor was willing to discuss our queries and offered further
assistance.
I found the course very well presented and interesting. This is an exciting new
way to teach literacy and I think it could be used to good effect in our school.
A very valid concept – teaching children that each symbol does not only
represent one sound, but several sounds. I like the idea of the picture chart
and overwrite chart band grapheme chart.
A good overview of what THRASS is all about. The structure of the support
material and charts was clearly outlined and well presented. I came away feeling
that THRASS could well be something to use with our learners. As a speech
therapist, I was happy to see the incorporation of all phonemes into the
programme.
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